Match package



y 2, 1939- H.. L. FREEMAN 2,156,781

MATCH fA'CKAGE Filed Oct. 14, 1 936 Patented May 2, 1939 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2,156,781 MATCH PACKAGE I Henry L. Freeman, Chicago, Ill. Application October 14, 1936, Serial No. 105,536

' 4Claims. (01. 206-29) My invention relates to match packages and has for its primary object the provision of a new and improved match package of the type comprising a plurality of match splints joined to a transverse connecting portion to form a comb and having a thin paper-like cover for said comb to protect the matches, my improved construction contributing greater convenience and safety in the use of the package and increased utility in its use as an advertising medium.

In the past, such packages have been constructed in a form commonly known as book matches, that is, with a cover comprising a single strip of paper-like material secured to the comb of matches with one of the ends thereof attached to one surface of the transverse connecting portion, a section of thestrip passing upwardly toward the heads of the matches over the rear surface of the comb and the remaining section of the cover extending downwardly over the front surface of the comb to form a front, flap-type, covering, which may be opened and manipulated outwardly for access to the matches for removal of the splints from the connecting portion. With such a construction, the cover has distinct front and rear portions.

It is common practice to utilize the outer surface of the cover as an advertising medium, and when so used it will be apparent that the rear cover portion of the type of package above described is much less desirable for this purpose than is the front flap section, since the user is primarily'concerned with the removal of the matches, which removal necessarily draws his attention to the front flap section only of the cover. It is, therefore, an object of my invention to provide a match package which is so constructed that the flap closure feature is eliminated, that the cover thereof hasno distinguishing back and front portions, and that both sides of the package are equally available to catch the attention of the user when the matches are being used.

Another advantage arising out of my improved match package from which the flap feature is eliminated is the retention of a sightly appearance of the package regardless of the fact that a portion of the matches have been torn out.

Still another advantage arising out of my improved form of package is the retention by the cover, at all times, of the form of a plaque or a card, no side of which need be folded out of its relative position to obtain matches from within the cover. Furthermore, with such a construction, I am able to shape the edges of the cover portion of the package in such a manner that it simulates some particular commodity or business which it is adapted to advertise without the simulation being, destroyed by the continuous opening and closing of the cover for obtaining 5 access to the matches.

Still another advantage arising out of my novel match package is the provision of a package' wherein the comb and cover sections 00-- operate in such a manner for removal of the 10 comb from the cover that the safety features thereof are greatly enhanced. With my match package, I may conveniently provide an emery striking surface which is concealed and inaccessible except at such times as the comb is moved 15 substantially entirely within the cover.

Still another advantage of my novel match package is that the matches may be removedfrom within the cover without manipulating a flaptype cover section, it being well known that with 20 the latter construction, the matches often remain exposed during the striking operation, since the user seldom replaces the flap in its closed position before striking the match.

It is still another object of my invention to 25 provide a match package in which the comb and cover sections cooperate in such a manner that the utility and convenience thereof as such is not impaired should an inner cover section be inserted between the outer cover section and 30 I the comb of matches, this inner cover section being available as a safety measure and also to provide the package with increased cooperating surface on which advertising matter may be printed. In the event that an inner cover section is also to be used, the package is so constructed that this inner cover section and the combs move together about the pivot and between the outer cover section. This latter form of package has also been found well adapted ,to utilize the features disclosed in my prior Patent No. 1,984,675, issued December 18, 1934, which discloses the use of an outer cover having apertures therein and an inner cover pivotally secured to said outer cover, said inner covering having informative data thereon which may be progressed to coincide withsaid apertures.

In pursuance of the foregoing objects, I aim to provide a match package of the above type which comprises a comb or plurality of combs secured between outer cover sections which may be formed from a single strip of paper-like material having its free ends pivotally anchored on the surfaces of a connecting portion of the comb, the matches being made accessible for Eli kit)

removal from between said sections by movement of said combs about the pivot. In order that the comb may be grasped and so pivoted, I construct the comb or combs in such a manner that a portion thereof extends beyond the confines of the cover sections in the form of a tab. Should it be found undesirable to have this extending tab, it will be readily understood that the same result may be obtained by cutting the comb and inner cover in its normal shape and notching the cover section. Since the extending, manipulating tab may be a portion of the comb or inner cover, it may be positioned thereon so as to be on the side of the pivot opposite the main portion of the comb or inside cover to disappear between the cover sections whenever the matches are pivoted from between the sections, and it will be apparent that if the surface ofthis tab constitutes the emery striking surface for the matches, the latter cannot be ignited until the comb has been returned to a position between the cover sections.

Further objects and advantages of my invention will become apparent from the following description and attached drawing, in which:

Fig. 1 is an elevation of my improved match package with the comb partially removed therefrom.

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the structure shown in Fig. l but with the comb in its fully enclosed position.

Fig. 3 is an elevation of a modified form of my match package. i

Fig. 4 shows still another form which my improved match package may take.

Figs. 5 and 6 are elevations of broken away portions of my improved match package showing other forms of the structure of Fig. 1.

Fig. 7 is an elevation showing another use to which the modifications of Figs. 3 and 4 may be put.

Fig. 8 is an end elevation of Fig. 7 but with the comb pivoted to a position completely within the cover.

It is to be understood that the embodiment of my invention disclosed and described herein is for illustrative purposes only and various changes and modifications thereof may be made without departing from the spirit of my invention as,

set out in the appended claims.

As shown in Figs. 1, 2, 5 and 6, my improved package comprises a comb or combs including a transverse connecting portion I from which match splints II extend, the splints being attached to the connecting portion for convenient removal therefrom. The cover for the matches comprises a pair of cover sections I2 and I3 formed, in the present embodiment, from a single strip of heavy paper, folded at IE around the heads of the matches. The sections I2 and I3 extend, from the fold I4, coextensively with the surface of the comb and have free ends terminating at the opposite surfaces of the transverse connecting portion I0. These free ends are piv otally secured to the connecting portion by suitable means such as the eyelet I5. Suitable emery striking surfaces are shown at I222.

Because of the above construction, an inside cover structure may be provided for the comb without detracting from the utility and convenience of the match package when used as such. This inside cover, when used, provides increased advertising space in the package and comprises cover sections I2a. and I3a formed from a single strip of paper, in the particular embodiment of Figs. 3, 4, 7 and 8, folded at Ma around the connecting portion I 0 of the comb and having its free ends extending upwardly beyond the heads of the match splints II. This inside cover and the comb are secured by the eyelet I between,

Since neither of the cover sections are subjected to continual movement to obtain access to the match splints, it will be seen that the match package will retain, at all times, the form of a card or plaque and, further, both faces of the package will be identical and the package will have no distinguishable back or front. Thus, when my match package is used for advertising purposes, the user will not give preferance to either face when removing and igniting a match, and both faces will be equally valuable as an advertising medium.

Means is provided whereby removal of the comb from between the. cover sections may be effected. Such means comprises preferably a portion of the comb extending beyond the confines of the cover sections and is shown in the embodiments of Figs. 1, 2, 5 and 6 as a manipulating tab which is an integral part of the connecting portion III of the comb. This tab is located on the opposite side of the pivot I5 to that occupied by the splints II and the main body of the comb. In Fig. 5 the manipulating tab which is a part of the connecting portion I0 and extends beyond the confines of the package, as distinguished from the cover portion thereof, as at I6. This tab is toothed to facilitate manipulation by the fingenand it will be readily understood that movement of the tab IE will cause like movement of the comb about the pivot I5 into d out of the cover sections I2 and i3. In Fig. the manipulating tab is shown at I! and since the free ends of the cover sections have matched recesses I8, the tab I! may be made to extend beyond the confines of the cover sections for manipulation but at the same time does not extend beyond the confines of the match package proper, thereby being protected against breakage when carried in the pocket. In Figs. 1 and 2, the manipulating tab is shown at I9 and comprises the emery striking surfaces for igniting the matches. With this construction, the striking surfaces are moved about the pivot I5 to a position between cover sections I2 and I3 at such times as the comb body moved to a position outside the cover sections for removal of a splint. From the foregoing, it will-b seen that before the striking surface is again exposed from within the-cover, the match splints must first be moved back between the cover sections;

- thus the possibility of the entire comb of splints becoming ignited to endanger the user is greatly reduced. In the modifications shown in Figs. 3, 4, '7 and 8, the previously described tab assembly is omitted and the cover sections I2 and purposes, be peripherally shaped and printed to simulate an article of commerce or a representation of some business or enterprise. With my construction, it will be readily understood that this simulation will never be destroyed throughout the use of the match splints since the cover sections remain relatively stationary as the splints are used.

By referring to Fig. 3, it will be seen that the cover sections are shaped and printed to represent a refrigerator, and it will be readily understood that the form shown in Figs. 1 and 2 may likewise be constructed to simulate some article or business. Fig. 3 shows one manner in which my invention may be utilized. The outer covers 12 and I3 are cut and printed to represent an article to be advertised, in the present instance a refrigerator, and the inner covers Ila. and Ma are utilized for printed matter concerning such article.

Fig. 4 shows another manner in which my invention may be utilized. The outer cover sections l2 and I3 are cut and printed to simulate a portion of an article of manufacture, in the present instance a refrigerator, and the inner cover sections Ma and l3a are cut and printed to simulate a complementary portion of the same article whereby the complete representation is formed by the manipulation of the two covers about the pivot l5 by the user himself.

Fig. 7 shows still another manner in which my invention may be utilized. The inner cover has data suitably arranged thereon while the outer cover has apertures thereon, the data on the inner covers being adapted to be progressed into coincidence with the apertures as the inner cover is rotated about pivot l5.

From the foregoing, it will be seen that I have I provided an improved match package, the construction of which well adapts it for advertising purposes and increased safety in use.

It is to be understood that my invention is adaptable to packages other than those from which matches are dispensed. Other articles, such as cosmetics, lipstick tissues, scratch pads and booklets may be secured within the package in place of the splints. Furthermore, the splints may be tipped with substances other than sulphur compounds, such as rouge, lipstick compounds, or the like.

I claim as my invention:

1. In a match package, the combination of a comb of matches including a plurality of splints removably mounted on a connecting portion, an inner cover for said comb comprising a single strip of material folded around the connecting named cover with portion thereof and having cover sections extending upwardly from the fold to overlie the heads of the matches, an outer cover for said comb and inner cover comprising a single strip of material folded around the heads of said matches and having cover sections extending downwardly from the fold, the ends of said outer cover sections overlying said connecting portion of said comb and the parts of said inner cover adjacent said connecting portion, means for pivotally securing said connecting portion and said inner cover between the end of said outer cover and a portion of said inner cover extending beyond the confines of said outer cover- 2. In a match package, the combination of acomb of matches including a connecting portion, a cover for. said comb, said cover comprising a pair of relatively stationary cover sections, a second cover comprising a pair of cover sections folded over said comb and having its free ends terminating near opposed surfaces of the connecting portion, and means for pivotally securing said comb at the connecting portion and said first named cover inside of said second cover, said comb and said first named cover being adapted to be rotated together about said pivot means within said first named cover.

3. In a match package, the combination of a comb of matches, a cover for said comb, said cover being adapted to overlie the surfaces of said comb, a second cover for said comb having sides overlying the surfaces of the comb, and means for pivotally securing said comb and said second cover inside of said first named cover, said comb and said second cover being adapted to be rotated together about said pivot means within said first named cover.

4. In a match package, the combination of a comb of matches, a cover for said comb comprising a section of material folded around in engagement with the base of the comb and secured thereto so that movement of one will move the other, said cover having flat sides overlying the sides of the comb with the free ends thereof adjacent to and forming a shield for the heads of the matches, an outer cover folded around the heads of the matches lying in a direction complementary to the inner cover overlying the sides of the comb and the first the free ends thereof lying adjacent the folded portion of said first named cover, and means for movably attaching the covers and comb together so that the second cover may be rotated with respect to the inner cover and comb 'of matches.

HENRY L. FREEMAN.

having fiat sides 

